Pesticidal compositions

ABSTRACT

A method of controlling or preventing pathogenic damage or pest damage in a plant propagation material, a plant, parts of a plant and/or plant organs that grow at a later point in time, which comprises applying on the plant, part of the plant, or surroundings thereof, a pesticidal combination comprising, for example, at least three active ingredient components optionally together with one or more customary formulation auxiliaries, wherein component (I) is one or more of an—azole fungicide, component (II) is one or more of a phenylamide fungicide, component (III) is one or more of a strobilurin fungicide and/or one or more of a phenylpyrrole fungicide, in any desired sequence or simultaneously.

The present invention relates to the use of a defined combination ofpesticidal active ingredients, and compositions thereof, and methods forusing such combinations in the control or prevention of pathogenicand/or pest damage, in particular in a plant propagation material andplant organs that grow at a later point in time by applying the compoundon to the plant propagation material.

Certain combinations of active ingredients for controlling pathogens andpests are described in the literature. The biological properties ofthose known combinations are not entirely satisfactory in the areas ofpathogenic control, phytotoxicity, and environmental and workerexposure, for example. In particular, in the instance a pathogen hasbecome, or risks becoming resistant to the previously knowncombinations, improved methods of control or prevention are sought.

The protection of plant propagation materials (especially seeds) withactive ingredients are target applications which partially address theneed for a reduction of environmental and worker exposure when usedalone or in conjunction with foliar or in-furrow active ingredientapplications.

There is a continuing need to provide pesticidal combinations, whichprovide improved, for example, biological properties, for example,synergistic properties, especially for controlling pathogens.

That need is solved according to the invention by the provision of thepresent pesticidal combination. Accordingly, in a first aspect, thepresent invention provides a pesticidal combination comprising,preferably consisting essentially of, more preferably consisting of, atleast three active ingredient components optionally together with one ormore customary formulation auxiliaries, wherein component (I) is one ormore of an—azole fungicide, component (II) is one or more of aphenylamide fungicide, component (III) is one or more of a strobilurinfungicide and/or one or more of a phenylpyrrole fungicide.

Examples of—azole fungicides are thiabendazole, oxpoconazole, ipconazoleand prothioconazole; especially preferred are thiabendazole, ipconazoleand prothioconazole.

Examples of phenylamide type fungicides include mefenoxam (metalaxyl-M),metalaxyl, benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, oxadixyl and furalaxyl. Particularlypreferred phenylamide type fungicides are mefenoxam (metalaxyl-M),metalaxyl, benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M.

Examples of strobilurin fungicides are azoxystrobin, picoxystrobin,metominostrobin, pyraclostrobin, famoxadone, fenamidone, fluoxastrobin,kresoxim-methyl, and trifloxystrobin. Particularly preferred strobilurintype fungicides are azoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin, fluoxastrobin,picoxystrobin, and kresoxim-methyl.

Examples of phenylpyrrole fungicides are fenpiclonil and fludioxonil;particularly preferred is fludioxonil.

Each of the combination demonstrates synergistic activity compared toactivity of compounds alone.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method ofcontrolling or preventing pathogenic damage or pest damage in a plantpropagation material, a plant, parts of a plant and/or plant organs thatgrow at a later point in time, which comprises applying on the plant,part of the plant, or surroundings thereof, the combination as definedin the first aspect, in any desired sequence or simultaneously.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of protectinga plant propagation material, a plant, parts of a plant and/or plantorgans that grow at a later point in time against pathogenic damage orpest damage by applying to the plant, parts of plant, or theirsurroundings the combination, as defined in the first aspect, in anydesired sequence or simultaneously.

The invention also relates to a plant propagation material treated withthe combination defined in the first aspect.

Further, in an embodiment the present invention relates to a methodwhich comprises (i) treating a plant propagation material, such as aseed, with a pesticidal combination as defined in the first aspect, and(ii) planting or sowing the treated propagation material, wherein thecombination protects against pathogenic damage or pest damage of thetreated plant propagation material, parts of plant and/or plant grownfrom the treated propagation material.

Also, in an embodiment the present invention relates to a method whichcomprises (i) treating a plant propagation material, such as a seed,with a pesticidal combination as defined in the first aspect, and (ii)planting or sowing the treated propagation material, and (iii) achievingprotection against pathogenic damage or pest damage of the treated plantpropagation material, parts of plant and/or plant grown from the treatedpropagation material.

In a preferred embodiment of any aspect of the invention, eachcombination is a composition comprising, preferably of, (I), (II) and(III), and optionally one or more customary formulation auxiliaries.

The components (I), (II) and (III) defined in the first aspect areactive ingredients for use in the agrochemical industry (also known aspesticides). A description of their structure as well as otherpesticides (e.g., fungicides, insecticides, nematicides) can be found inthe e-Pesticide Manual, version 3.1, 13th Edition, Ed. CDC Tomlin,British Crop Protection Council, 2004-05.

Controlling, preventing or protecting and its inflections, within thecontext of the present invention, mean reducing any undesired effect,such as

-   -   pathogenic, such as phytopathogenic, especially fungi,        infestation or attack of, and    -   pathogenic damage or pest damage on, a plant, part of the plant        or plant propagation material to such a level that an        improvement is demonstrated.

The pesticidal combinations according to the invention have veryadvantageous properties for protecting plants against (i) pathogenic,such as phytopathogenic, especially fungi, attack or infestation, whichresult in a disease and damage to the plant and/or (ii) pest attack ordamage; particularly in instance of plants, the present invention cancontrol or prevent pathogenic damage and/or pest damage on a seed, partsof plant and/or plant grown from the treated seed.

These properties are for example the synergistically enhanced action ofcombinations of compounds (I), (II) and (III), resulting in lowerpathogenic damage and/or pest damage, lower rates of application, or alonger duration of action. In the instance of agriculture, the enhancedaction is found to show an improvement in the growing characteristics ofa plant by, for example, higher than expected control of the pathogenicinfestation and/or pest damage.

The improvement in the growing (or growth) characteristics of a plantcan manifest in a number of different ways, but ultimately it results ina better product of the plant. It can, for example, manifest inimproving the yield and/or vigour of the plant or quality of theharvested product from the plant, which improvement may not be notconnected to the control of diseases and/or pests.

As used herein the phrase “improving the yield” of a plant relates to anincrease in the yield of a product of the plant by a measurable amountover the yield of the same product of the plant produced under the sameconditions, but without the application of the subject method. It ispreferred that the yield be increased by at least about 0.5%, morepreferred that the increase be at least about 1%, even more preferred isabout 2%, and yet more preferred is about 4%, or more. Yield can beexpressed in terms of an amount by weight or volume of a product of theplant on some basis. The basis can be expressed in terms of time,growing area, weight of plants produced, amount of a raw material used,or the like.

As used herein the phrase “improving the vigour” of a plant relates toan increase or improvement of the vigour rating, or the stand (thenumber of plants per unit of area), or the plant height, or the plantcanopy, or the visual appearance (such as greener leaf colour), or theroot rating, or emergence, or protein content, or increased tillering,or bigger leaf blade, or less dead basal leaves, or stronger tillers, orless fertilizer needed, or less seeds needed, or more productivetillers, or earlier flowering, or early grain maturity, or less plantverse (lodging), or increased shoot growth, or earlier germination, orany combination of these factors, or any other advantages familiar to aperson skilled in the art, by a measurable or noticeable amount over thesame factor of the plant produced under the same conditions, but withoutthe application of the subject method.

When it is said that the present method is capable of “improving theyield and/or vigour” of a plant, the present method results in anincrease in either the yield, as described above, or the vigor of theplant, as described above, or both the yield and the vigor of the plant.

Accordingly, the present invention also provides a method of improvingthe growing characteristics of a plant, which comprises applying to theplant, and/or parts of plant, the combination, as defined in the firstaspect, in any desired sequence or simultaneously.

In a preferred embodiment, combinations comprising (I) thiabendazole,(II) mefenoxam and (III) fludioxonil; (I) thiabendazole, (II) mefenoxamand (III) fludioxonil and azoxystrobin; (I) thiabendazole, (II)metalaxyl and (III) trifloxystrobin; (I) thiabendazole and ipconazole,(II) metalaxyl and (III) trifloxystrobin; (I) thiabendazole, (II)benalaxyl and (III) trifloxystrobin; (I) thiabendazole, (II) benalaxyland (III) trifloxystrobin; (I) thiabendazole and ipconazole, (II)benalaxyl and (III) trifloxystrobin; (I) thiabendazole andprothioconazole, (II) metalaxyl and (III) trifloxystrobin; (I)thiabendazole and prothioconazole, (II) benalaxyl and (III)trifloxystrobin; (I) thiabendazole and prothioconazole, (II) metalaxyland (III) fluoxstrobin; (I) thiabendazole and prothioconazole, (II)benalaxyl and (III) fluoxstrobin; (I) prothioconazole, (II) metalaxyland (III) fluoxstrobin; (I) prothioconazole, (II) benalaxyl and (III)fluoxstrobin; (I) prothioconazole, (II) metalaxyl and (III)trifloxystrobin; (I) prothioconazole, (II) benalaxyl and (III)trifloxystrobin; are preferred.

In an embodiment, combinations comprising (I) thiabendazole, (II)mefenoxam and (III) azoxystrobin; (I) thiabendazole, (II) metalaxyl and(III) azoxystrobin; (I) thiabendazole, (II) benalaxyl-M and (III)azoxystrobin; (I) thiabendazole, (II) benalaxyl and (III) azoxystrobin;(I) thiabendazole and ipconazole, (II) metalaxyl and (III) azoxystrobin;(I) thiabendazole and ipconazole, (II) metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam) and (III)azoxystrobin; (I) thiabendazole and ipconazole, (II) benalaxyl-M and(III) azoxystrobin; (I) thiabendazole and ipconazole, (II) benalaxyl and(III) azoxystrobin; (I) thiabendazole and prothioconazole, (II)metalaxyl and (III) azoxystrobin; (I) thiabendazole and prothioconazole,(II) metalaxyl-M and (III) azoxystrobin; (I) thiabendazole andprothioconazole, (II) benalaxyl and (III) azoxystrobin; (I)thiabendazole and prothioconazole, (II) benalaxyl-M and (III)azoxystrobin; (I) prothioconazole, (II) metalaxyl and (III)azoxystrobin; (I) prothioconazole, (II) metalaxyl-M and (III)azoxystrobin; (I) prothioconazole, (II) benalaxyl and (III)azoxystrobin; (I) prothioconazole, (II) benalaxyl-M and (III)azoxystrobin; are preferred.

The combination comprising (a) thiabendazole, metalaxyl, and pencycuron;(b) thiabendazole, ipconazole, metalaxyl, and pencycuron; or (c)thiabendazole, pencycuron and propamocarb is also found to control orprevent, in a further aspect of the invention, pathogenic damage in aplant propagation material, a plant, and/or plant organs that grow at alater point in time, when applying on the plant, part of the plant, orsurroundings thereof, in any desired sequence or simultaneously.

Each of the combination of the invention can be used in the agriculturalsector and related fields of use for controlling or preventing diseaseinfestation and/or pest damage on plants.

Each of the combination according to the present invention is effectiveagainst phytopathogenic fungi, especially occurring in plants, includingseedborne fungi and belong to the following classes: Ascomycetes (e.g.Penicillium, Gaeumannomyces graminis); Basidiomycetes (e.g. the genusHemileia, Rhizoctonia, Puccinia); Fungi imperfecti (e. g. Botrytis,Helminthosporium, Rhynchosporium, Fusarium, Septoria, Cercospora,Alternaria, Pyricularia and Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides);Oomycetes (e. g. Phytophthora, Peronospora, Bremia, Pythium,Plasmopara); Zygomycetes (e.g., Rhizopus spp.). A combination isespecially effective against Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp.,Claviceps purpurea, Cochliobolus spp., Colletotrichum spp., Diplodiamaydis, Erysiphe graminis, Fusarium spp. (such as Fusarium culmorum,Fusarium oxysporium, Fusarium solani, Fusarium graminearum and Fusariummoniliforme), Gaeumannomyces graminis, Giberella fujikuroi, Giberellazeae, Helminthosporium graminearum, Monographella nivalis, Pucciniaspp., Pyrenophora spp. (such as Pyrenophora graminea), Peronosclerosporaspp., Peronspora spp., Phakopsora pachyrhizi, Phythium spp., Phoma spp.,Phomopsis spp., Rhizoctonia solani, Septoria spp., Pseudocercosporellaspp., Tilletia spp., Rhizopus spp., Typhula spp., Ustilago spp.,Sphacelotheca spp. (e.g. Spacelotheca reilliani), Thanatephoruscucumeris, and Verticillium spp.

The combinations of the present invention are particularly effectiveagainst fungal pathogens of the genus Fusarium, Pythium and/orRhizoctonia.

The combinations of the invention can be formulated for a particularuse. Preferably, the combination is formulated for protecting cultivatedplants or their propagation materials.

Accordingly, a combination of the invention can be applied to the plantin a conventional manner, such as foliar spray. Advantageously, thecombinations are formulated for seed treatment applications forcontrolling or preventing damage by pests and/or pathogens, which arefound in agriculture and forestry, and can particularly damage the plantin the early stages of its development.

Further, the present invention also envisages soil application of thecombinations of the invention to control the soil-dwelling pests and/orsoil-borne pathogens. Methods of applying to the soil can be via anysuitable method, which ensures that the combination penetrates the soil,for example, nursery tray application, in furrow application, soildrenching, soil injection, drip irrigation, application throughsprinklers or central pivot, incorporation into soil (broad cast or inband) are such methods.

The benefit from the invention can also be achieved either by (i)treating plant propagation material with a combination or (ii) applyingto the locus where control is desired, generally the planting site, thecombination, or both (i) and (ii).

The term “plant propagation material” is understood to denote all thegenerative parts of the plant, such as seeds, which can be used for themultiplication of the latter and vegetative plant material such ascuttings and tubers (for example, potatoes). Accordingly, as usedherein, part of a plant includes propagation material. There may bementioned, e.g., the seeds (in the strict sense), roots, fruits, tubers,bulbs, rhizomes, parts of plants. Germinated plants and young plants,which are to be transplanted after germination or after emergence fromthe soil, may also be mentioned. These young plants may be protectedbefore transplantation by a total or partial treatment by immersion.

Parts of plant and plant organs that grow at later point in time are anysections of a plant that develop from a plant propagation material, suchas a seed. Parts of plant, plant organs, and plants can also benefitfrom the pathogenic and/or pest damage protection achieved by theapplication of the combination on to the plant propagation material. Inan embodiment, certain parts of plant and certain plant organs that growat later point in time can also be considered as plant propagationmaterial, which can themselves be applied (or treated) with thecombination; and consequently, the plant, further parts of the plant andfurther plant organs that develop from the treated parts of plant andtreated plant organs can also benefit from the pathogenic and/or pestdamage protection achieved by the application of the combination on tothe certain parts of plant and certain plant organs.

Methods for applying or treating pesticidal active ingredients andmixtures thereof on to plant propagation material, especially seeds, areknown in the art, and include dressing, coating, pelleting and soakingapplication methods of the propagation material.

The active ingredients can be applied to the seeds using conventionaltreating techniques and machines, such as fluidized bed techniques, theroller mill method, rotostatic seed treaters, and drum coaters. Othermethods, such as spouted beds may also be useful. The seeds may bepresized before coating. After coating, the seeds are typically driedand then transferred to a sizing machine for sizing. Such procedures areknown in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, the combination is applied or treated on tothe plant propagation material by a method such that the germination isnot induced; generally seed soaking induces germination because themoisture content of the resulting seed is too high. Accordingly,examples of suitable methods for applying (or treating) a plantpropagation material, such as a seed, is seed dressing, seed coating orseed pelleting and alike.

It is preferred that the plant propagation material is a seed. Althoughit is believed that the present method can be applied to a seed in anyphysiological state, it is preferred that the seed be in a sufficientlydurable state that it incurs no damage during the treatment process.Typically, the seed would be a seed that had been harvested from thefield; removed from the plant; and separated from any cob, stalk, outerhusk, and surrounding pulp or other non-seed plant material. The seedwould preferably also be biologically stable to the extent that thetreatment would cause no biological damage to the seed. It is believedthat the treatment can be applied to the seed at any time betweenharvest of the seed and sowing of the seed or during the sowing process(seed directed applications). The seed may also be primed either beforeor after the treatment.

Even distribution of the active ingredients and adherence thereof to theseeds is desired during propagation material treatment. Treatment couldvary from a thin film (dressing) of the formulation containing theactive ingredient(s) on a plant propagation material, such as a seed,where the original size and/or shape are recognizable to an intermediarystate (such as a coating) and then to a thicker film (such as pelletingwith many layers of different materials (such as carriers, for example,clays; different formulations, such as of other active ingredients;polymers; and colourants) where the original shape and/or size of theseed is no longer recognisable.

The seed treatment occurs to an unsown seed, and the term “unsown seed”is meant to include seed at any period between the harvest of the seedand the sowing of the seed in the ground for the purpose of germinationand growth of the plant.

Treatment to an unsown seed is not meant to include those practices inwhich the active ingredient is applied to the soil but would include anyapplication practice that would target the seed during the plantingprocess.

Preferably, the treatment occurs before sowing of the seed so that thesown seed has been pre-treated with the combination. In particular, seedcoating or seed pelleting are preferred in the treatment of thecombinations according to the invention. As a result of the treatment,the active ingredients in the combination are adhered on to the seed andtherefore available for pest and/or disease control.

The treated seeds can be stored, handled, sowed and tilled in the samemanner as any other active ingredient treated seed.

The combination according to the present invention is suitable forplants of the crops: cereals (wheat, barley, rye, oats, corn, rice,sorghum, triticale and related crops); beet (sugar beet and fodderbeet); leguminous plants (beans, lentils, peas, soybeans); oil plants(rape, mustard, sunflowers); cucumber plants (marrows, cucumbers,melons); fibre plants (cotton, flax, hemp, jute); vegetables (spinach,lettuce, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes,paprika); as well as ornamentals (flowers, shrubs, broad-leafed treesand evergreens, such as conifers). Especially suitable are wheat,barley, rye, oats, triticale, sorghum, corn, and soybean; eachcombination is advantageously preferred for the crops sorghum, corn andsoybean.

Suitable target crops also include transgenic crop plants of theforegoing types. The transgenic crop plants used according to theinvention are plants, or propagation material thereof, which aretransformed by means of recombinant DNA technology in such a way thatthey are—for instance—capable of synthesizing selectively acting toxinsas are known, for example, from toxin-producing invertebrates,especially of the phylum Arthropoda, as can be obtained from Bacillusthuringiensis strains; or as are known from plants, such as lectins; orin the alternative capable of expressing a herbicidal or fungicidalresistance. Examples of such toxins, or transgenic plants which arecapable of synthesizing such toxins, have been disclosed, for example,in EP-A-0 374 753, WO 93/07278, WO 95/34656, EP-A-0 427 529 and EP-A-451878 and are incorporated by reference in the present application.

The plant propagation material treated by a combination of the presentinvention are, therefore, resistant to disease and/or pest damage;accordingly, the present invention also provides a pathogenic and/orpest resistant plant propagation material which is treated with thecombination and consequently at least the active ingredients thereof areadhered on the propagation material, such a seed.

The seed treatment combination and composition can also comprise or maybe applied together and/or sequentially with further active compounds.These further compounds can be other pesticidal active ingredients,fertilizers or micronutrient donors or other preparations that influenceplant growth, such as inoculants.

A single pesticidal active ingredient may have activity in more thanarea of pest control, for example, a pesticide may have fungicide,insecticide and nematicide activity. Specifically, aldicarb is known forinsecticide, acaricide and nematicide activity, while metam is known forinsecticide, herbicide, fungicide and nematicide activity, andthiabendazole and captan can provide nematicide and fungicide activity.

The combination of the present invention may be mixed with otherpesticides, such as other fungicides, insecticides and nematicides.

Suitable examples include triazole derivatives, strobilurins, carbamate(including thiocarbamate), N-trihalomethylthio compounds (captan),substituted benzenes, carboxamides, and mixtures thereof; andneonicotinoids, carbamates, pyrethroids and mixtures thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the combination comprising (I) thiabendazole,(II) mefenoxam and (III) fludioxonil, further comprises thiamethoxam;the combination comprising (I) thiabendazole and ipconazole, (II)metalaxyl and (III) trifloxystrobin, further comprises captan; thecombination comprising (I) thiabendazole, (II) mefenoxam and (III)azoxystrobin and fludioxonil, further comprises thiamethoxam.

In the event a combination of the invention also includes a pesticideother than fungicide as compound (II) (such as abamectin, clothianidin,imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, tefluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin) then thepesticide spectrum of the combination is broadened to include pestcontrol, such as control of pests selected from Nematoda, Insecta andArachnida. In that instance, the combination can also be applied on thepest to control or prevent pest damage and protect the desired material(e.g. plant and parts of plant) from pest damage. Examples of pestsinclude:

from the order Lepidoptera, for example, Acleris spp., Adoxophyes spp.,Aegeria spp., Agrotis spp., Alabama argillaceae, Amylois spp.,Anticarsia gemmatalis, Archips spp., Argyrotaenia spp., Autographa spp.,Busseola fusca, Cadra cautella, Carposina nipponensis, Chilo spp.,Choristoneura spp., Clysia ambiguella, Cnaphalocrocis spp., Cnephasiaspp., Cochylis spp., Coleophora spp., Crocidolomia spp., Cryptophlebialeucotreta, Crysodeixis includens, Cydia spp., Diatraea spp., Diparopsiscastanea, Earias spp., Elasmopalpus spp., Ephestia spp., Eucosma spp.,Eupoecilia ambiguella, Euproctis spp., Euxoa spp., Grapholita spp.,Hedya nubiferana, Heliothis spp., Hellula undalis, Hyphantria cunea,Keiferia lycopersicella, Leucoptera scitella, Lithocollethis spp.,Lobesia botrana, Lymantria spp., Lyonetia spp., Malacosoma spp.,Mamestra brassicae, Manduca sexta, Operophtera spp., Ostrinia nubilalis,Pammene spp., Pandemis spp., Panolis flammea, Pectinophora gossypiella,Phthorimaea operculella, Pieris rapae, Pieris spp., Plutella xylostella,Prays spp., Scirpophaga spp., Sesamia spp., Sparganothis spp.,Spodoptera spp., Synanthedon spp., Thaumetopoea spp., Tortrix spp.,Trichoplusia ni and Yponomeuta spp.;

from the order Coleoptera, for example, Agriotes spp., Anthonomus spp.,Atomaria linearis, Ceutorhynchus spp., Chaetocnema tibialis,Cosmopolites spp., Curculio spp., Dermestes spp., Diabrotica spp.,Epilachna spp., Eremnus spp., Gonocephalum spp., Heteronychus spp.,Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Lissorhoptrus spp., Melolontha spp.,Orycaephilus spp., Otiorhynchus spp., Phlyctinus spp., Phyllotreta spp.,Popillia spp., Protostrophus spp., Psylliodes spp., Rhizopertha spp.,Scarabeidae, Sitophilus spp., Sitotroga spp., Tenebrio spp., Triboliumspp. and Trogoderma spp.;

from the order Orthoptera, for example, Blatta spp., Blattella spp.,Gryllotalpa spp., Leucophaea maderae, Locusta spp., Periplaneta spp. andSchistocerca spp.;

from the order Isoptera, for example, Reticulitermes spp.;

from the order Psocoptera, for example, Liposcelis spp.;

from the order Anoplura, for example, Haematopinus spp., Linognathusspp., Pediculus spp., Pemphigus spp. and Phylloxera spp.;

from the order Mallophaga, for example, Damalinea spp. and Trichodectesspp.;

from the order Thysanoptera, for example, Frankliniella spp.,Hercinothrips spp., Taeniothrips spp., Thrips palmi, Thrips tabaci andScirtothrips aurantii;

from the order Heteroptera, for example, Dichelops melacanthus,Distantiella theobroma, Dysdercus spp., Euchistus spp., Eurygaster spp.,Leptocorisa spp., Nezara spp., Piesma spp., Rhodnius spp., Sahlbergellasingularis, Scotinophara spp. and Triatoma spp.;

from the order Homoptera, for example, Aleurothrixus floccosus,Aleyrodes brassicae, Aonidiella spp., Aphididae, Aphis spp., Aspidiotusspp., Bemisia tabaci, Ceroplaster spp., Chrysomphalus aonidium,Chrysomphalus dictyospermi, Coccus hesperidum, Empoasca spp., Eriosomalarigerum, Erythroneura spp., Gascardia spp., Laodelphax spp., Lecaniumcorni, Lepidosaphes spp., Macrosiphus spp., Myzus spp., Nephotettixspp., Nilaparvata spp., Paratoria spp., Pemphigus spp., Planococcusspp., Pseudaulacaspis spp., Pseudococcus spp., Psylla spp., Pulvinariaaethiopica, Quadraspidiotus spp., Rhopalosiphum spp., Saissetia spp.,Scaphoideus spp., Schizaphis spp., Sitobion spp., Trialeurodesvaporariorum, Trioza erytreae and Unaspis citri;

from the order Hymenoptera, for example, Acromyrmex, Athalia rosae, Attaspp., Cephus spp., Diprion spp., Diprionidae, Gilpinia polytoma,Hoplocampa spp., Lasius spp., Monomorium pharaonis, Neodiprion spp.,Solenopsis spp. and Vespa spp.;

from the order Diptera, for example, Antherigona soccata, Bibiohortulanus, Ceratitis spp., Chrysomyia spp., Culex spp., Cuterebra spp.,Dacus spp., Delia spp., Drosophila melanogaster, Liriomyza spp.,Melanagromyza spp., Orseolia spp., Oscinella frit, Pegomyia hyoscyami,Phorbia spp., Rhagoletis pomonella, Sciara spp.;

from the order Acarina, for example, Acarus siro, Aceria sheldoni,Aculus schlechtendali, Amblyomma spp., Argas spp., Brevipalpus spp.,Bryobia praetiosa, Calipitrimerus spp., Chorioptes spp., Dermanyssusgallinae, Eotetranychus carpini, Eriophyes spp., Hyalomma spp.,Olygonychus pratensis, Ornithodoros spp., Panonychus spp.,Phyllocoptruta oleivora, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Psoroptes spp.,Rhipicephalus spp., Rhizoglyphus spp., Sarcoptes spp., Tarsonemus spp.and Tetranychus spp.; and

from the class Nematoda, for example, the species of Meloidogyne spp.(for example, Meloidogyne incoginita and Meloidogyne javanica),Heterodera spp. (for example, Heterodera glycines, Heterodera schachtii,Heterodora avenae and Heterodora trifolii), Globodera spp. (for example,Globodera rostochiensis), Radopholus spp. (for example, Radopholussimiles), Rotylenchulus spp., Pratylenchus spp. (for example,Pratylenchus neglectans and Pratylenchus penetrans), Aphelenchoidesspp., Helicotylenchus spp., Hoplolaimus spp., Paratrichodorus spp.,Longidorus spp., Nacobbus spp., Subanguina spp. Belonlaimus spp.,Criconemella spp., Criconemoides spp. Ditylenchus spp., Dolichodorusspp., Hemicriconemoides spp., Hemicycliophora spp., Hirschmaniella spp.,Hypsoperine spp., Macroposthonia spp., Melinius spp., Punctodera spp.,Trichodorus spp., Quinisulcius spp., Scutellonema spp., Xiphinema spp.,and Tylenchorhynchus spp.

It is also found in a further aspect of the present invention that acombination comprising (i) thiabendazole and (ii) abamectin and/or aneonicotinoid pesticide, such as thiamethoxam, imidacloprid orclothianidin, is particularly well suited for control of pathogenic andpest damage, in particular in a corn, sugarbeet, sorghum or soybeancrop. The combination is effective against nematode pests (such as anyone of Lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) Sting nematodes (Belonlaimusspp.), root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), reniform nematodes(Rotylenchulus spp.), stubby root nematodes (Trichodorus spp.), cystnematodes (Heterodera spp.), Lance nematodes (Hoplolaimus spp.)), inparticular when the combination is applied onto a plant propagationmaterial, such as a seed. A preferred combination comprises (i)thiabendazole and (ii) abamectin, and/or thiamethoxam.

The weight ratio of active ingredient compounds is selected as to givethe desired, for example synergistic, action. In general, the weightratio would vary depending on the specific active ingredient and howmany active ingredients are present in the combination. Generally, inthe event the combination consists of three active ingredients theweight ratio between any two ingredients, independently of each other,is from 100:1 to 1:100, preferably from 75:1 to 1:75, more preferably,50:1 to 1.50, especially 25:1 to 1:25, advantageously 10:1 to 1:10, suchas 5:1 to 1:5.

The rates of application (use) of the combination vary, for example,according to type of use, type of crop, the specific active ingredientsin the combination, type of plant propagation material (if appropriate),but is such that the active ingredients in the combination is aneffective amount to provide the desired enhanced action (such as diseaseor pest control) and can be determined by trials.

Generally for foliar or soil treatment, application rates can vary from0.05 to 3 kg per hectare (g/ha) of active ingredients. In the instanceof (I), (II) and (III) as defined herein, suitable application rates forfoliar use are 50-1000, preferably 75-500, especially 100-300, g/ha ofcomponent (I); 50-1000, preferably 250-750 g/ha of component (II);50-1000, preferably 75-500, especially 100-300, g/ha of component (III).

Generally for seed treatment, application rates can vary from 0.5 to1000 g/100 kg of seeds of active ingredients. In the instance of (I),(II) and (III) as defined herein, suitable examples of application ratesfor seed treatment are tend to be 5-100, preferably 10-50, especially12-25, g/100 kg of seeds of component (I); 0.5-10, preferably 0.75-7,especially 1-5, g/100 kg of seeds of component (II); 0.5-10, preferably0.75-7, especially 1-5 g/100 kg of seeds of component (III).

In the event the combination comprises (I) thiabendazole, (II) mefenoxamand (III) fludioxonil, typical application rates for seed treatment, inparticular on soybean, is 10-20 g of thiabendazole, 1-4 g of mefenoxamand 1-5 g of fludioxonil, each on g/100 kg of seeds basis.

In the event the combination comprises (I) thiabendazole, (II) mefenoxamand (III) fludioxonil and azoxystrobin, typical application rates forseed treatment, in particular on corn, is 15-25 g of thiabendazole, 1-4g of mefenoxam,1-5 g of fludioxonil and 0.5-2 g of azoxystrobin, each ong/100 kg of seeds basis.

In the event the combination comprises (I) thiabendazole, (II) mefenoxamand (III) fludioxonil, and thiamethoxam, typical application rates forseed treatment, in particular on soybean, is 10-20 g of thiabendazole,1-4 g of mefenoxam,1-5 g of fludioxonil, and 30-40 g of thiamethoxam,each on g/100 kg of seeds basis.

The compound, e.g., (I), (II) or (III), and any other pesticides, may beused either in pure form, i.e., as a solid active ingredient, forexample, in a specific particle size, or preferably together with atleast one of the auxiliary (also known as adjuvants) customary informulation technology, such as extenders, e.g., solvents or solidcarriers, or surface-active compounds (surfactants), in the form of aformulation, in the present invention. Generally, the compounds (I),(II) and (III) are in the form of a formulation composition with one ormore of customary formulation auxiliaries.

Therefore, the combination of compounds, e.g., (I), (II) and (III), arenormally used in the form of formulations. The compounds (I), (II) and(III) can be applied to the locus where control is desired eithersimultaneously or in succession at short interval, for example on thesame day, if desired together with further carriers, surfactants orother application-promoting adjuvants customarily employed informulation technology. In a preferred embodiment, (I), (II) and (III)are applied simultaneously.

In the event, for example, compounds (I), (II) and (III), are appliedsimultaneously in the present invention, they may be applied as acomposition containing (I), (II) and (III), in which case each of (I),(II) and (III) can be obtained from a separate formulation source andmixed together (known as a tank-mix, ready-to-apply, spray broth, orslurry), optionally with other pesticides, or (I), (II) and (III) can beobtained as single formulation mixture source (known as a pre-mix,concentrate, formulated compound (or product)), and optionally mixedtogether with other pesticides.

In an embodiment, the combination of the present invention is applied asa composition. Accordingly, the present invention is a compositioncomprising, as active ingredients, (I), (II) and (III), and optionallyother pesticides, and optionally one or more customary formulationauxiliaries; which may be in the form of a tank-mix or pre-mixcomposition

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the combination of (I)thiabendazole, (II) mefenoxam and (III) fludioxonil; (I) thiabendazole,(II) mefenoxam and (III) fludioxonil, and thiamethoxam; (I)thiabendazole, (II) mefenoxam and (III) azoxystrobin and fludioxonil;(I) thiabendazole, (II) mefenoxam and (III) azoxystrobin andfludioxonil, and thiamethoxam; thiabendazole and abamectin;thiabendazole and thiamethoxam; and thiabendazole, abamectin andthiamethoxam, are provided in the form of a pre-mix composition (ormixture).

Examples of foliar formulation types for pre-mix compositions are:

GR: Granules

WP: wettable powders

WG: water dispersible granules (powders)

SG: water soluble granules

SL: soluble concentrates

EC: emulsifiable concentrate

EW: emulsions, oil in water

ME: micro-emulsion

SC: aqueous suspension concentrate

CS: aqueous capsule suspension

OD: oil-based suspension concentrate, and

SE: aqueous suspo-emulsion.

Whereas, examples of seed treatment formulation types for pre-mixcompositions are:

WS: wettable powders for seed treatment slurry

LS: solution for seed treatment

ES: emulsions for seed treatment

FS: suspension concentrate for seed treatment

WG: water dispersible granules, and

CS: aqueous capsule suspension.

Examples of formulation types suitable for tank-mix compositions aresolutions, dilute emulsions, suspensions, or a mixture thereof, anddusts.

As with the nature of the formulations, the methods of application, suchas foliar, drench, spraying, atomizing, dusting, scattering, coating orpouring, are chosen in accordance with the intended objectives and theprevailing circumstances.

The tank-mix compositions are generally prepared by diluting with asolvent (for example, water) the one or more pre-mix compositionscontaining different pesticides, and optionally further auxiliaries.

Suitable carriers and adjuvants can be solid or liquid and are thesubstances ordinarily employed in formulation technology, e.g. naturalor regenerated mineral substances, solvents, dispersants, wettingagents, tackifiers, thickeners, binders or fertilizers.

The formulations are prepared in known manner, e.g., by homogeneouslymixing and/or grinding the active ingredients with extenders, e.g.,solvents, solid carriers and, where appropriate, surface-activecompounds (surfactants).

Suitable solvents are: aromatic hydrocarbons, preferably the fractionscontaining 8 to 12 carbon atoms, e.g. xylene mixtures or substitutednaphthalenes, phthalates, such as dibutyl phthalate or dioctylphthalate, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane or paraffins,alcohols and glycols and their ethers and esters, such as ethanol,ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monomethyl or monoethyl ether, ketones,such as cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents, such asN-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide or dimethylformamide, as wellas vegetable oils or epoxidised vegetable oils, such as epoxidisedcoconut oil or soybean oil; or water.

The solid carriers used, e.g., for dusts and dispersible powders, arenormally natural mineral fillers, such as calcite, talcum, kaolin,montmorillonite or attapulgite. In order to improve the physicalproperties it is also possible to add highly dispersed silicic acid orhighly dispersed absorbent polymers. Suitable granulated adsorptivecarriers are porous types, for example pumice, broken brick, sepioliteor bentonite, and suitable nonsorbent carriers are, for example, calciteor sand. In addition, a great number of pregranulated materials ofinorganic or organic nature can be used, e.g., especially dolomite orpulverized plant residues.

Depending upon the nature of the active ingredient compounds to beformulated, suitable surface-active compounds are non-ionic, cationicand/or anionic surfactants having good emulsifying, dispersing andwetting properties. The term “surfactants” will also be understood ascomprising mixtures of surfactants.

Particularly advantageous application-promoting adjuvants are alsonatural or synthetic phospholipids of the cephalin and lecithin series,e.g., phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglyceroland lysolecithin.

Generally, a tank-mix formulation for foliar or soil applicationcomprises 0.1 to 20%, especially 0.1 to 15%, active ingredientcompounds, and 99.9 to 80%, especially 99.9 to 85%, of a solid or liquidauxiliaries (including, for example, a solvent such as water), where theauxiliaries can be a surfactant in an amount of 0 to 20%, especially 0.1to 15%, based on the tank-mix formulation.

Typically, a pre-mix formulation for foliar application comprises 0.1 to99.9%, especially 1 to 95%, active ingredient compounds, and 99.9 to0.1%, especially 99 to 5%, of a solid or liquid adjuvant (including, forexample, a solvent such as water), where the auxiliaries can be asurfactant in an amount of 0 to 50%, especially 0.5 to 40%, based on thepre-mix formulation.

Normally, a tank-mix formulation for seed treatment applicationcomprises 0.25 to 80%, especially 1 to 75%, active ingredient compounds,and 99.75 to 20%, especially 99 to 25%, of a solid or liquid auxiliaries(including, for example, a solvent such as water), where the auxiliariescan be a surfactant in an amount of 0 to 40%, especially 0.5 to 30%,based on the tank-mix formulation.

Typically, a pre-mix formulation for seed treatment applicationcomprises 0.5 to 99.9%, especially 1 to 95%, active ingredientcompounds, and 99.5 to 0.1%, especially 99 to 5%, of a solid or liquidadjuvant (including, for example, a solvent such as water), where theauxiliaries can be a surfactant in an amount of 0 to 50%, especially 0.5to 40%, based on the pre-mix formulation.

Whereas commercial products will preferably be formulated asconcentrates (e.g., pre-mix composition (formulation)), the end userwill normally employ dilute formulations (e.g., tank mix composition).

Preferred seed treatment pre-mix formulations are aqueous suspensionconcentrates. The formulation can be applied to the seeds usingconventional treating techniques and machines, such as fluidized bedtechniques, the roller mill method, rotostatic seed treaters, and drumcoaters. Other methods, such as spouted beds may also be useful. Theseeds may be presized before coating. After coating, the seeds aretypically dried and then transferred to a sizing machine for sizing.Such procedures are known in the art.

The Examples which follow serve to illustrate the formulations suitablefor compounds (I) and ((II), “active ingredient” denoting a combinationof compound I and compound II in a specific mixing ratio.

FORMULATION EXAMPLES

Wettable powders a) b) c) active ingredient [I:II = 1:6(a), 1:2(b),1:1(c)] 25%  50% 75% sodium lignosulfonate 5%  5% — sodium laurylsulfate 3% —  5% sodium diisobutylnaphthalenesulfonate —  6% 10% phenolpolyethylene glycol ether —  2% — (7-8 mol of ethylene oxide) highlydispersed silicic acid 5% 10% 10% Kaolin 62%  27% —

The active ingredient is thoroughly mixed with the adjuvants and themixture is thoroughly ground in a suitable mill, affording wettablepowders which can be diluted with water to give suspensions of thedesired concentration.

Dusts a) b) c) active ingredient [I:II = 1:6(a), 1:2(b), 1:10(c)]  5% 6%  4% Talcum 95% — — Kaolin — 94% — mineral filler — — 96%

Ready-for-use dusts are obtained by mixing the active ingredient withthe carrier and grinding the mixture in a suitable mill. Such powderscan be used for dry dressings for seed.

Suspension concentrates (a) (b) active ingredient (I:II = 1:1(a);1:8(b)) 5% 30% propylene glycol 10%  10% Tristyrylphenol ethoxylates 5% 6% sodium lignosulfonate — 10% carboxymethylcellulose —  1% siliconeoil (in the form of a 75% emulsion in water) 1%  1% Colour pigment 5% 5% water 74%  37%

The finely ground active ingredient is intimately mixed with theadjuvants, giving a suspension concentrate from which suspensions of anydesired dilution can be obtained by dilution with water. Alternatively,a suspension of the active ingredients and auxiliaries (including water)is wet milled with a bead-mill to achieve a stable formulation and withthe appropriate treatment characteristics.

Using such formulations either straight or diluted plant propagationmaterial can be treated and protected against damage, for example, frompathogen(s), by spraying, pouring or immersing.

The active ingredient combinations according to the invention aredistinguished by the fact that they are especially well tolerated byplants and are environmentally friendly.

Each active ingredient combination according to the invention isespecially advantageous for the treatment of plant propagation material.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the combination of the presentinvention is a plant propagation material, preferably seed, treatingcomposition.

In each aspect and embodiment of the invention, “consisting essentially”and inflections thereof are a preferred embodiment of “comprising” andits inflections, and “consisting of” and inflections thereof are apreferred embodiment of “consisting essentially of” and its inflections.

The following Examples are given by way of illustration and not by wayof limitation of the invention.

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES Example 1 Activity of Mefenoxam, Fludioxinil andThiabendazole Compositions Against Fusarium spp. on Corn Seeds

1. Agar Test.

An agar test is performed to evaluate the effect of seed treatments withfludioxonil (2.5 g/100 kg seed)+mefenoxam (1.0 g/100 kg seed),thiabendazole at 10, 15 and 20 g/100 kg seed and the correspondingmixtures of all three components on seed health and viability of corn.Seed lots of corn cv. Magister, is infected artificially with either F.proliferatum or F. subglutinans, are used.

Czapek-Dox medium (OXOID) is prepared according to manufacturer'srecipe: 45.4 g agar in 11 aqua bidest., autoclaved for 15 min at 121°C., and is cooled down to 55° C. 15 ml medium is poured into eachpetridish (Ø10 cm) and is allowed to cool.

10 seeds are placed on the surface of the agar. 5 replicates pertreatment are done. Petridishes are placed in an incubator at 20° C.under NUV-light (12 h a day). The number of seeds where Fusarium spp.grew out on the agar is rated after an incubation period of 6 days.

2. Treatments

-   -   Mefenoxam (1.0 g ai/100 kg seed)+fludioxonil (2.5 g ai/100 kg        seed).    -   Thiabendazole at 10, 15 and 20 g ai/100 kg seed.    -   Mefenoxam (1.0 g ai/100 kg seed)+fludioxonil (2.5 g ai/100 kg        seed)+thiabendazole (at 10, 15 or 20 g ai/100 kg seed).

For combined treatments mefenoxam+fludioxonil are applied first on theseeds as a combined formulation and after drying the second applicationon the seeds with thiabendazole is performed.

3. Synergy

A synergistic effect exists, for example, whenever the action of anactive ingredient combination is greater than the sum of the actions ofthe individual compounds.

The action to be expected E for a given active ingredient combinationobeys the so-called COLBY formula and can be calculated as follows(COLBY, S. R. “Calculating synergistic and antagonistic responses ofherbicide combination”. Weeds, Vol. 15, pages 20-22; 1967):

ppm=milligrams of active ingredient (=a.i.) per litre of spray mixture

X=% action by active ingredient I using p ppm of active ingredient

Y=% action by active ingredient II using q ppm of active ingredient.

According to Colby, the expected (additive) action of active ingredientsI+II using p+q ppm of active ingredient is

$E = {X + Y - \frac{X \cdot Y}{100}}$

If the action actually observed (O) is greater than the expected action(E), then the action of the combination is superadditive, i.e. there isa synergistic effect.

4. Results

TABLE 1 Activity of seed treatments on seed contamination and myceliumgrowth of Fusarium spp. on corn cv. Magister after 6 days. FUSSUB FUSPROContaminated Mycelium Activity Contaminated Mycelium Activity TreatmentSeeds Growth Observed Seeds Growth Observed Check 100 100 0 100 82 18Mefenoxam + 100 95 5 100 50 50 Fludioxonil Thiabendazole (10 g) 94 68 3262 60 40 Thiabendazole (15 g) 100 40 60 44 NA NA Thiabendazole (20 g) 529 91 40 NA NA Mefenoxam + 98 46 54 60 8 92 Fludioxonil + Thiabendazole(10 g) Mefenoxam + 64 14 86 16 1.2 98.8 Fludioxonil + Thiabendazole (15g) Mefenoxam + 30 3.6 96.4 0 0 100 Fludioxonil + Thiabendazole (20 g)

Fusarium Subglutinans.

The check shows that 100% infected seeds and 100% of the agar areovergrown by mycelium. Mefenoxam and fludioxonil (2.5 g ai and 1.0 g airespectively) has no effect on number of infected seeds (100%) and onmycelium growth (95% of check). Only the highest rate of thiabendazoletested (20 g) shows a significant reduction of the number of infectedseeds (9%). Mycelium growth is reduced by all thiabendazole treatments,showing a linear dose response. The combinations of mefenoxam andfludioxonil with thiabendazole at 10, 15 and 20 g reduce the number ofinfected seeds to 98%, 64% and 30%, respectively. Mycelium growth isreduced to 46, 14 and 4%, respectively, for the mix with 10, 15 and 20 gthiabendazole, respectively.

Fusarium Proliferatum.

The check shows 100% infected seeds and approximately 80% of the agar isovergrown by mycelium. Mefenoxam and fludioxonil (2.5 g ai/100 kg seedand 1.0 g ai/100 kg seed respectively) has no effect on number ofinfected seeds (100%) but reduces the mycelium growth to 50%.Thiabendazole at 10 g reduces both infected seeds and mycelium growth to˜60% of the check. Thiabendazole at 15 and 20 g reduces the number ofinfected seeds to 44 and 40%, respectively. The combinations ofmefenoxam and fludioxonil with thiabendazole at 10, 15 and 20 g reducethe number of infected seeds to 60%, 16% and 0%, respectively. Myceliumgrowth is nearly completely inhibited by the mix with 10 and 15 gthiabendazole (8% and 1%, respectively) and complete inhibition isachieved by the mix with 20 g thiabendazole.

These results indicate that thiabendazole at the highest rate of 20g/100 kg reduces the number of Fusarium infected seeds for both species.However, all combinations of mefenoxam, fludioxonil and thiabendazolereduce the count of Fusarium infected seeds, especially the mix with 20g thiabendazole that exhibited excellent Fusarium control.

All mixtures of thiabendazole, mefenoxam and fludioxonil clearlyoutperform the most active solo ingredient of the mix at the given rateand most mixtures show synergistic interactions. Accordingly, thecombinations of the invention show unexpected activity.

Example 2 Activity of Thiabendazole, Mefenoxam, Fludioxinil andAzoxystrobin Against Fusarium Subglutinans on Corn Seeds

Seeds are prepared and inoculated as described in Example 1.

The pesticide containing seeds are treated with a combination ofthiabendazole at 20 g, mefenoxam at 2 g, fludioxonil at 2.5 g andazoxystron at 1 g, each on a g/100 kg of seeds basis.

Table below illustrates the performance of the pesticide treatmentcompared to untreated seeds.

Emergence Emergence Final stand Dry Weight 9 DAS 10 DAS 21 DAS in gramsUTC infected 4.7 30.7 40.0 1.45 Pesticide 32.7 72.7 93.3 5.11 treated

Example 3 Activity of Thiabendazole and Abamectin in Soybean

In a field having a heavy population of soybean cyst nematodes(Heterodera glycines), seeds are planted that have the followingtreatments:

-   -   (a) fludioxonil (2.5 g ai/100 kg seed)+mefenoxam (3.75 g ai/100        kg seed)    -   (b) fludioxonil (2.5 g ai/100 kg seed)+mefenoxam (3.75 g ai/100        kg seed), abamectin (0.25 mg ai/seed),    -   (c) fludioxonil (2.5 g ai/100 kg seed)+mefenoxam (3.75 g ai/100        kg seed), abamectin (0.25 mg ai/seed)+thiabendazole (20 g ai/100        kg seed).

Table below shows the yield of the different treatments.

YIELD (Bushel/acre) (a) 40 C (b) 47 B (c) 58 A

The results indicate that thiabendazole in combination with abamectinsignificantly increases soybean yields.

Example 4 Activity of Thiabendazole and Abamectin in Corn

In a field having a population of Pratylenchus spp. nematodes, cornseeds are planted that have the following treatments:

treatment no. active ingredient & rate 1 fludioxonil (3.5 g ai/100 kgseed), mefenoxam (1 g ai/100 kg seed), azoxystrobin (1 g ai/100 kg seed)and thiamethoxam (0.25 mg ai/seed) 2 treatment 1 and thiabendazole (0.05mg ai/seed), 3 treatment 1 and abamectin (0.25 mg ai/seed) 4 treatment1, thiabendazole (0.05 mg ai/seed) and abamectin (0.25 mg ai/seed)

Table below shows the yield of the different treatments averaged over 6trials each.

Yield % increase over Expected according treatment no. (bushels/acre)treatment 1 to Colby 1 123.65 — — 2 137.37 11.1% — 3 124.36 0.6% — 4145.25 17.5% 11.6%

Example 5 Activity of Thiabendazole and Abamectin in Sugarbeet

Sugarbeet seeds are treated with treatments 1 to 4 (see Table below) andare planted in small plastic tubes containing steamed natural soil withlow organic matter. After 2 weeks the plants are inoculated with 500larvae/plant of Heterodera schachtii the inoculation is repeated afterone more week with 500 larvae. Each treatment is replicated 4 times.

treatment no. active ingredient & rate 1 Check fludioxonil (6 gai/unit), mefenoxam (0.5 g ai/unit) 2 treatment 1 and thiabendazole (0.2g ai/unit), 3 treatment 1 and abamectin (30 g ai/unit) 4 treatment 1,thiabendazole (0.2 g ai/unit) and abamectin (30 g ai/unit) 1 unit = 100000 seeds

When plants are 6 week old the assessment of number of cysts/plant iscarried out. The soil is washed away very carefully from the roots andthe cysts are assessed under the microscope based on:

-   -   0-9 cysts/plant gives index 9,    -   10-29 cysts/plant gives index 7,    -   30-49 cysts/plant gives index 5,    -   60-69 cysts/plant gives index 3 and    -   >70 cysts/plant gives index 1.

The Disease Index is calculated: DI=n*1+n*3+n*5+n*7+n*9/Total number ofplants. Table below illustrates the Disease index from 1-9, with 1indicating many cysts and 9 indicating perfect protection of the plantroot against cyst nematode.

Treatment Replicate 1 Check 2 3 4 1 3.75 3.46 4.43 7.71 2 3.29 1.86 5.366.69 3 1.2 1 3.15 7.6 4 4.78 6.4 5.29 4

Table below shows the synergistic response of abamectin andthiabendazole:

Protection level % increase over Expected according treatment no.(averaged) treatment 1 to Colby 1 Check 3.2 — — 2 3.2 0 — 3 4.6 58.3 — 46.5 103.1 58.3

1.-15. (canceled)
 16. A method of controlling or preventing pathogenicdamage or pest damage in a plant propagation material, a plant, parts ofa plant and/or plant organs that grow at a later point in time, whichcomprises applying on the plant, part of the plant, or surroundingsthereof, a pesticidal combination comprising, optionally together withone or more customary formulation auxiliaries, thiabendazole andabamectin, in any desired sequence or simultaneously.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 16, wherein the combination is appliedsimultaneously.
 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein thecombination is applied on plant propagation material.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 16, wherein damage is caused by pests selected fromNematoda, Insecta, and Arachnida.
 20. The plant propagation materialtreated with a combination comprising, optionally together with one ormore customary formulation auxiliaries, thiabendazole and abamectin.